Electric Heating System

New Electric Heating Systems

Heating choices aren’t limited to traditional gas systems or less efficient electric heaters anymore. Today, the best storage heaters and electric heating solutions offer a stylish, smart, and effective way to keep your space warm. If you’re considering updating or installing a new heating system, take a closer look at today’s electric options. They’re steadily outpacing older gas systems and are tailored to modern living.

What is Electric Heating?

Electric heating means using electricity to warm your home. This includes options like storage heaters, electric boilers, and underfloor heating systems but generally excludes heat pumps. While heat pumps use electricity, they don’t directly generate heat. Instead, they move existing heat from outside into your home. The environmental impact of electric heating depends on your electricity source. As the UK grid incorporates more renewable sources like wind and solar, electric heating becomes cleaner. Electric heating is more common in apartments, rentals, and places without natural gas lines. Surveys suggest around 5-11% of homes in the UK use electric heating, depending on the region.

Different Types of Electric Heating

Here’s a look at some popular options:

Storage heaters

Storage heaters work by storing heat generated during off-peak

Electric Boiler

They provide electric central heating by heating water and

Direct Electric Heaters

Direct electric heaters, such as panel, infra-red

Electric Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating gives a luxurious way to warm your

Underfloor heating gives a luxurious way to warm your home from the ground up. There are two main types:

Wet underfloor heating uses heated water circulating through pipes beneath your floor. The heat can come from a boiler or a heat pump.
Electric underfloor heating uses electric wires installed under or within your floor. It's especially popular in bathrooms for that cosy foot-warming sensation but is versatile enough for use throughout the house.

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What Are the Benefits of Electric Heating?

Electric heating systems offer a hassle-free approach to heating your space.

Easy Installation

Electric heating can be integrated seamlessly into new builds at the second fix wiring stage without any unnecessary delays. The process of installing gas heating is considerably more involved, often requiring weeks of work to lay new pipes, install radiators, and fit a boiler—all of which must be done by a gas-certified professional. This can not only be time-consuming but may also cause significant disruption to your property.

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Improved Safety

Electric central heating and heaters don't rely on burning fuel. This cuts out risks such as the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning or the possibility of explosions, which can be a concern with gas systems.

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Less Noisy

Another point to consider is the operational noise, or rather, the lack of it. Traditional gas heating systems often carry the inconvenience of noise, from the sound of hot water coursing through pipes to the unsettling 'kettling' noise caused by sludge or limescale build-up. This kettling noise isn't just a nuisance; it's a red flag indicating that your system needs a power flush to clear the accumulation. Electric heating systems operate quietly, sparing you from the distraction and expense of managing limescale build-up.

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Ecological Heating

Electric heating systems are leading the charge in ecological heating. Thanks to new Lot20 regulations, all space heaters consuming at least 250W must meet minimum efficiency standards. This is a big step away from traditional gas heating, which, despite being the cleanest fossil fuel, remains the UK's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Gas systems emit carbon that harms our planet, and with the push for stricter climate targets, we could see the phasing out of gas heating in favour of cleaner alternatives. Electric heating presents a clean, environmentally respectful solution. It operates without releasing any polluting gases or heavy metals into the air we breathe.

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Better Value

When weighing up the options between electric and gas heating, you should consider the full spectrum of costs involved. While gas might seem cheaper initially, electric heating can offer advantages beyond daily costs. Solar panels can reduce the running costs of electric heating systems.

Not only is electric heating simpler and cheaper to install, but it also comes with practically zero maintenance costs and boasts a longer lifespan—up to 50% more than your average gas boiler. Electric heating converts every bit of power into heat, so you get full value for every penny spent on energy.

Modern storage heaters now come with advanced features designed to maximize convenience and efficiency, adjusting to your needs without wasting energy.

More Control

Switching to electric heating systems equipped with Wi-Fi offers unparalleled control over your home’s energy consumption and heating efficiency. Each room’s temperature can be adjusted independently, ensuring you use energy only where and when you need it. This smart approach can trim your annual heating costs by up to 30%.

Should You Replace Your Electric Heating System?

Electric central heating can be expensive. To cut costs and reduce emissions efficiently, think about transitioning to a heat pump or a biomass boiler. If you’re not quite ready for a big change, upgrade to modern electric storage heaters with efficient controls.

You can also check your eligibility for the free boiler grant or other government initiatives on the Warmer Home Grant to explore personalised energy-saving options. Get quotes from at least three electric heating installers. Tell them about your current electricity meter and plan so they can give you the best options.

Beware of pushy sales tactics! Don’t feel pressured to sign right away, and avoid deals with huge discounts tied to immediate contracts.

Look for installers registered with a trade association like the ECA, NAPIT, or SELECT (in Scotland). These associations ensure their members follow good practices and provide quality service. If you need some help deciding what’s best for you, fill out our form below and one of our team of experts will contact you to find the best solution for you.

Which Electric Heating System is Right For You?

When evaluating your heating needs, consider both your space’s characteristics and how the heating system’s cost impacts your budget in the long run. Direct electric heating models are initially more affordable in terms of installation compared to systems that require complex setups like radiators or underfloor heating.

However, they can cost more in the long run. If your home is smaller or well-insulated, these running costs might not significantly impact your budget. Yet, for larger or older homes lacking proper insulation, the operating expenses can quickly add up. The best storage heaters for you really depend on your unique needs as a household.